The debate over E20 keeps intensifying day after day. In a recent development, after a social media post featuring popular vlogger Saurabh Joshi and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal went viral. The video claims that several vehicle owners are facing a sharp drop in fuel efficiency after switching to E20 petrol.
In the post shared on social media, Saurabh Joshi shares his personal experience with E20. He reveals that the mileage of his vehicle has fallen from around 17 kmpl to 9 kmpl and later to nearly 5 kmpl. Another vehicle owner is also seen fuming over the bio fuel in front of the ex Delhi CM Kejriwal. Speaking to his wife sitting next to him in his Mercedes car, Joshi said he was afraid to petrol due to drastic reduction of mileage and if the car develops some problem, it may have to be sent to Delhi for servicing from his hometown in Uttarakhand.
Joshi also promoted the purchase and use of electric cars in such circumstances.
Sharing the video ex Delhi CM claimed that in a recent interaction with car mechanics and vehicle owners in Delhi, he learnt that long queues of vehicle with problems linked to E20 fuel were reported. He also alleged that many owners were unhappy because their vehicles were delivering much lower mileage than before. In his post on X, Kejriwal is seen criticizing the government’s move and urged them to stop “co-ercing E20” on consumers. He further alleged that television interviews and press conferences could not change the reality being experienced by vehicle owners.
However, the social media claims are yet to be verified. Neither the ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas nor oil marketing companies have issued any response to the allegations.
The Centre has been promoting E20 aggressively in an attempt to reduce foreign dependency for crude oil and cut down carbon emissions. Automobile manufacturers have also introduced E20-compatible vehicles in line with the government’s roadmap.